FEATURES

In-depth features that celebrate the vibrant outdoor swimming community, spotlighting extraordinary individuals and their stories.

We did it! We swam the length of Lake Windermere!

Finally, after two cafe stops for coffee and scones (it’s not even a two hour drive), Shark and I arrive…
Meet our September issue’s reader cover star!

Our September cover model is 31-year-old reader Jenny Rice from the Lake District. She is an outdoor swimmer and swimrun…
View from the water – Dreaming of a planet fit for swimming

We should be able to swim wherever we like without risk of illness or injury from pollution or environmental damage…
A whale song to swimmers

Ella Foote meets writer Tanya Shadrick, writer in residence at Pells Pool, where she is writing a mile of longhand…
“I’m not fast and my technique isn’t the best. But boy am I happy!”

Comedian Angela Barnes is taking part in the Macmillan All Out Swim challenge. We caught up with her to find…
Eleven Ways to Cope with the Chlorine Box

Becoming an outdoor swimmer can completely change your view of swimming pools. What you once thought of as warm becomes…
My Swim Story – Nikki Ball

Nikki Ball’s family was brought up in the water. After the death of her brother, a family wild swimming trip…
Historic swims – Loch Ness

Loch Ness has long held mystery and intrigue for those willing to stare into its depths. By Elaine K Howley…
Creating a Parkrun for open water swimming

Parkrun has transformed the world of running. The 5km distance is far enough to challenge potential runners to get started…
“Is it safe to swim in the river?”

Is it safe to swim here? I live about 100m from the Thames. The other day, a delivery driver knocked…
Club of the Month – Out to Swim

Out to Swim is a masters aquatics club aimed to provide a safe and encouraging environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual…
Wastwater, Lake District

Dark, dramatic and stubbornly cold – Barb Brown’s favourite wild swimming spot is a lake with attitude To write about…
You’re gonna need a bigger boat!

The last 20 weeks have been non-stop swimming/training/ driving to venues, and so with one week to go till my…
Taking on the Loch Ness monster

Next week Team Nessie (me, Marc, Alaine, Emma, Rebecca and Erica) is swimming the 22-mile length of Loch Ness in…
The Last Wave

Ella Foote meets author Gillian Best for a swim and to talk about her new book, The Last Wave “…but…
My Swim Story – Maurice Walton

Maurice Walton shares his experience to serve as a warning to other swimmers We were swimming in Windermere from Fell…
The unexpected and unwanted consequences of FINA’s poorly conceived wetsuit ruling

Wetsuits: will we lose our right to choose in future? Earlier this year FINA, the world governing body for swimming,…
Paul cycled 182 miles to Paris to succeed in his attempt to become the oldest man to complete the Arch to Arc event.
Greg Whyte

Celebrity personal trainer and sports scientist Greg Whyte is celebrating his 50th birthday year by embarking on 50 swimming challenges…
Swimming and life

Gavin Maitland underwent a double lung transplant at the age of 41. He now swims to raise awareness of organ…
Stepping up to 5k

Floss Flint prepares for her first half marathon distance open water swim On a gorgeous Monday evening, I nervously made…
Swim Sisters

Full body suits are allowing a new demographic of women to take to the open water, discovers Becky Horsbrugh Earlier…
Lake Geneva Legends

It’s 7.30am on a Sunday morning. A brisk wind is ruffling the feathers of a swan gliding across Shepperton Lake.…
Meadfoot Beach, Torbay

From rockpooling splendour to adventurous swimming, Ju Lewis explains why she loves Meadfoot Beach in Devon My favourite wild swimming spot…hmmm.…
View from the Water – Outdoor swimming communities are awesome

Originally built in the 1930s, Bude Sea Pool has been a popular swimming spot for generations and is the top…